Proverbs 7:23

KJV

Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it [is] for his life.

KJV (with Strong's)

Till a dart {H2671} strike {H6398} through his liver {H3516}; as a bird {H6833} hasteth {H4116} to the snare {H6341}, and knoweth {H3045} not that it is for his life {H5315}.

Complete Jewish Bible

or like a bird rushing into a trap, not knowing its life is at stake till an arrow pierces its liver.

Berean Standard Bible

until an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare— not knowing it will cost him his life.

American Standard Version

Till an arrow strike through his liver; As a bird hasteth to the snare, And knoweth not that it is for his life.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 7:23 serves as the chilling climax of a father's urgent warning against the adulterous woman, graphically depicting the swift, fatal consequences of succumbing to her deceptive allure. It portrays the foolish young man as an unsuspecting bird rushing headlong into a deadly snare, completely oblivious that his impulsive pursuit of fleeting pleasure will result in the ultimate destruction of his very life, underscoring the irreversible and devastating impact of unbridled folly and sin.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes the vivid narrative found in [Proverbs 7](/proverbs/7 "Proverbs 7 - The Warning Against the Adulteress"), which is itself part of a larger section of paternal instruction (Proverbs 1-9) designed to impart wisdom to a young man. The chapter meticulously details the seductive tactics of the "strange woman" – her alluring words, persistent invitations, and deceptive promises. Verse 23 functions as the stark, climactic warning, revealing the grim reality behind the enticing façade. It follows the description of the young man's naive journey to her house, emphasizing his utter lack of discernment and the irreversible nature of the path he has chosen, echoing the broader theme of wisdom leading to life and folly to death, as seen throughout the book of [Proverbs](/proverbs "The Book of Proverbs").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, wisdom literature like Proverbs served as practical instruction for living a righteous and prosperous life within the covenant community. Sexual fidelity was paramount, foundational to the family unit and societal stability, reflecting the covenant relationship between God and Israel. Adultery was a grave offense, often punishable by death (cf. [Leviticus 20:10](/leviticus/20-10 "Leviticus 20:10 - Punishment for Adultery")). The imagery of a "dart" striking the "liver" reflects ancient physiological understanding, where the liver was considered a vital organ, often associated with life or the seat of emotions; a strike to it was unequivocally fatal. The "snare" and "bird" imagery draws from common agricultural and hunting practices, making the danger immediately relatable to the audience. This context underscores the real-world, life-and-death stakes involved in adhering to or departing from the path of wisdom.
* **Key Themes:** Proverbs 7:23 powerfully encapsulates several key themes prevalent in the book of Proverbs and broader biblical wisdom literature. Firstly, it highlights the **Fatal Consequences of Sin**, particularly sexual immorality, portraying it not merely as a moral lapse but as a path leading to profound and often irreversible destruction, both physical and spiritual. The "dart through his liver" is a gruesome metaphor for a mortal wound, emphasizing the ultimate cost of folly, which is death ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin")). Secondly, the verse underscores the tragic theme of **Blindness to Danger**. Like a bird heedlessly rushing into a trap, the young man is utterly oblivious to the imminent peril, illustrating how temptation can cloud judgment and render an individual insensible to the destructive power of sin ([James 1:14-15](/james/1-14 "James 1:14-15 - Temptation and Sin")). Finally, it speaks to the **Deceptiveness of Temptation**, revealing that sin often appears alluring and harmless, masking its true, destructive nature. The "pleasures" offered by the adulteress are merely bait for a deadly snare, promising satisfaction but delivering devastation, a warning echoed in [2 Corinthians 11:14](/2_corinthians/11-14 "2 Corinthians 11:14 - Satan Disguises Himself").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Dart (Hebrew, _chêts'_):** From the root meaning "to pierce," this word primarily refers to an arrow or javelin. In this context, it signifies a sharp, penetrating weapon, emphasizing the sudden, forceful, and lethal nature of the attack. It implies a swift, decisive blow that brings about immediate and irreversible harm, contrasting sharply with the young man's unawareness.
* **Liver (Hebrew, _kâbêd'_):** This term denotes the liver, understood in ancient Near Eastern cultures as a heavy, vital organ, sometimes associated with the seat of life, emotions, or inner being. A strike through the liver, therefore, represents a mortal wound, signifying the complete and utter destruction of the individual's vitality and existence. It underscores the profound and fatal impact of the choices made.
* **Knoweth (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** A primitive root meaning "to know," often implying to ascertain by seeing, to comprehend, or to be aware. The negation "knoweth not" highlights the tragic ignorance and lack of discernment on the part of the young man. He fails to perceive the true nature of the situation or the deadly consequences of his actions, emphasizing his folly and the blinding power of temptation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Till a dart strike through his liver;":** This clause presents a vivid and gruesome metaphor for a fatal blow. The "dart" symbolizes the sudden, penetrating, and lethal consequence of the young man's actions. The piercing of the "liver," a vital organ in ancient understanding, signifies a mortal wound, indicating that the path of folly leads to irreversible and ultimate destruction, a spiritual and potentially physical death.
* **"as a bird hasteth to the snare,":** This simile introduces the element of unwitting self-destruction. The young man is likened to a bird, typically small and vulnerable, rushing impulsively and without foresight towards a trap. The word "hasteth" emphasizes his eagerness and lack of caution, driven by immediate gratification rather than prudent consideration of the outcome.
* **"and knoweth not that it is for his life.":** This final clause reveals the tragic ignorance and profound lack of discernment that characterizes the foolish. The bird, and by extension the young man, is completely unaware that the enticing lure leads directly to a threat against its very existence ("life," _nephesh_, often encompassing the whole being, vitality, and soul). This highlights the deceptive nature of sin, which promises pleasure but delivers death, and the blindness of those who pursue it.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 7:23 is rich in **Imagery** and **Figurative Language**, creating a powerful and memorable warning. The central device is a **Simile**, comparing the foolish young man's headlong rush into danger to "a bird hasteth to the snare." This comparison effectively conveys the victim's lack of awareness, his impulsiveness, and the pre-planned nature of the trap. The verse also employs a stark **Metaphor** in "Till a dart strike through his liver," where the "dart" represents the fatal consequences of sin, and the "liver" symbolizes the very essence of life. This gruesome image underscores the severity and finality of the destruction. Furthermore, there is an element of **Dramatic Irony**, as the reader is made aware of the young man's impending doom, while he himself remains tragically ignorant. The entire narrative of [Proverbs 7](/proverbs/7 "Proverbs 7 - The Warning Against the Adulterous Woman") can be seen as a **Parable** or **Allegory**, where the "strange woman" represents not only literal adultery but also the seductive nature of Folly and sin itself, drawing individuals away from the path of Wisdom and life.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Proverbs 7:23 profoundly connects with the broader biblical narrative concerning the nature of sin, its deceptive allure, and its ultimate wages. It underscores the truth that sin is not merely a transgression of rules but a destructive force that targets the very "life" or being of an individual. The imagery of an unsuspecting victim rushing to a snare resonates with the spiritual blindness that often accompanies temptation, where the immediate gratification obscures the long-term, fatal consequences. This verse serves as a stark reminder that true wisdom involves foresight and discernment, recognizing the hidden dangers within seemingly appealing paths. It highlights God's consistent warning throughout Scripture about the destructive power of unrighteousness and His call to choose the path of life through obedience and discernment.

* [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin and the Gift of God")
* [James 1:14-15](/james/1-14 "James 1:14-15 - The Progression of Sin")
* [Galatians 6:7-8](/galatians/6-7 "Galatians 6:7-8 - Sowing and Reaping")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 7:23 stands as an enduring and urgent call to vigilance and discernment in a world brimming with seductive temptations. It compels us to recognize that sin, particularly that which promises immediate pleasure, often conceals a deadly snare. The "dart through the liver" serves as a visceral reminder that choices have profound, often irreversible, consequences for our spiritual, emotional, and even physical well-being. We are challenged to cultivate wisdom that sees beyond the superficial allure, understanding that true freedom and flourishing come from adhering to God's pathways, which are designed for our life, not our destruction. This verse urges us to flee from situations that compromise our integrity, to guard our hearts with utmost diligence, and to seek discernment from God's Word and Spirit, so that we may not, like the foolish bird, rush headlong into a trap that is for our very life.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be rushing into a "snare," unaware of the potential harm to my "life"?**
* **How does the deceptiveness of temptation manifest in my own experiences, and how can I better recognize its hidden dangers?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate greater discernment and wisdom, especially when faced with alluring but potentially destructive choices?**

### FAQ

**Why is the "liver" specifically mentioned as the target of the dart?**

Answer: In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the liver was considered a vital organ, often associated with the seat of life, emotions, or inner being. Its large size and critical function made it a symbol of life itself. Therefore, a "dart strike through his liver" was a graphic and unequivocal way to describe a fatal, mortal wound. It emphasizes the complete and utter destruction of the individual's vitality and existence, signifying not just injury, but death. This imagery powerfully communicates the ultimate and irreversible consequence of succumbing to the temptation described in [Proverbs 7](/proverbs/7 "Proverbs 7 - The Warning Against the Adulterous Woman").

**How does this verse apply to temptations beyond sexual immorality?**

Answer: While [Proverbs 7](/proverbs/7 "Proverbs 7 - The Warning Against the Adulterous Woman") specifically addresses sexual immorality, the principles in verse 23 are broadly applicable to any form of sin or folly. The "snare" represents any enticing trap that promises immediate gratification but leads to destruction. This could include greed, addiction, dishonesty, pride, or destructive relationships. The core message is that sin, in all its forms, is deceptive and ultimately leads to spiritual and often physical ruin for those who, like the unsuspecting bird, rush into it without understanding its true, life-threatening nature. It serves as a universal warning against being naive or willfully ignorant of the long-term consequences of our choices, echoing the biblical truth that "the wages of sin is death" ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 7:23, with its grim portrayal of a life lost to folly and sin, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "dart" of sin and the "snare" of death that ensnare humanity are ultimately overcome by Christ. While the foolish young man rushes to his demise, Christ, the embodiment of true Wisdom (cf. [1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ the Power and Wisdom of God")), willingly entered the snare of death on our behalf. He did not, like the bird, "know not that it is for his life," but rather, he knowingly laid down His life ([John 10:18](/john/10-18 "John 10:18 - Jesus Lays Down His Life")) to deliver us from the ultimate "dart" of God's righteous judgment against sin. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus breaks the power of the snare, offering true "life" (cf. [John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Jesus Gives Abundant Life")) to all who, by faith, turn from the path of folly to Him. He is the ultimate deliverer, rescuing us from the deceptive allure of sin and leading us into the path of eternal life and true wisdom, which is found only in Him ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - In Christ Are Hidden All Treasures of Wisdom")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ecclesiastes 9:12

For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so [are] the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.

Proverbs 9:18

But he knoweth not that the dead [are] there; [and that] her guests [are] in the depths of hell.

Proverbs 1:17

Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.

Numbers 25:8

And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel.

Numbers 25:9

And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand.